Hi everyone. I pulled the pony off of my stuck D4 engine today. Found out that a couple of valves were stuck. I freed them up, but they stick a little; sprayed some penetrating oil inside to soak them.
Any recommendations on the valves? I’m guessing I’m better off pulling the top end off and going inside, but I’m being lazy, I don’t want to get carried away. What if I seal everything back up and fill the motor with solvent for a couple of days? Suggestions besides ordering direct electric parts? Good news is as nasty looking the mag was inside, it throws good spark.

If you’ve got access to strait ethanol, that really works good to cut that sticky junk that gets on valve stems. Top of the piston looks clean.

Good luck

BP.

GM makes a product called "Top Engine Cleaner" comes in a spray and is excellent at removing carbon and gum. Should be available at your local dealer, but I know California is strict on what good stuff you guys can get.

Thanks guys. I’m going to lay it on it’s side and shoot some more penetrating oil in it and rotate the opposite side. It was full of water due to the rotted exhaust pipe... I’m just being lazy. Glad it didn’t have anything broken inside that I’m aware of.

Sea Foam makes a product in an aerosol called Deep Creep. it would work ideal in your situation and don't forget MMO Marvel Mystery Oil.

Hi juiceman, it only takes 10 minutes to get that top manifold off and a new gasket from Cat is about $25, if water has been in that motor then going the extra yard would be worthwhile and it will give you the chance to check the valve lash and give the valve faces a clean up, I know it's a PITA going that extra yard but I've never regretted it on my old girls because I've usually found something ready to break, worn badly or just not right, and as you know you want everything set right on those little starting motors if you plan on keeping it.
Merry Christmas from Oz
Mike

"Mike wrote:

Hi juiceman, it only takes 10 minutes to get that top manifold off and a new gasket from Cat is about $25, if water has been in that then motor going the extra yard would be worthwhile and it will give you the chance to check the valve lash and give the valve faces a clean up, I know it's a PITA going that extra yard but I've never regretted it on my old girls because I've usually found something ready to break, worn badly or just not right, and as you know you want everything set right on those little starting motors if you plan on keeping it.
Merry Christmas from Oz
Mike

I took your advice today. Thanks! I'm going to sleep better knowing that I did it proper(kinda sort of).I already had a new gasket from my stash of NOS parts from "FrankenCrawler #1". It was a little crusty inside, cleaned up things pretty well. Works great. Now I'm wondering if I should've pulled the pistons and honed the cylinders while I had the top off.... I will sleep on that one.
I usually buy premium gasoline for the ponies; don't know if it makes any difference, but I do add some conditioner to the fuel to ward off moisture and gumming.
Seafoam products eh? I'm still wondering about MMO, have a jug of it, but never used it yet.
Going to search for an electric start set up for the pony too. I'm not too fond of the rope only start!
Thanks everyone. JM

Well done JM, you will sleep easier now, you can do a hone without pulling the pistons, just put a bead of grease around the piston crown when they are at BDC to catch the crud, as you have the motor on the bench you could put it at a slight angle to help drain the kerosene and metal filings out the top of the cylinder as you hone, don't forget to punch that freeze plug out of the base of the motor to give that lower cooling passage between the 2 cylinders a really good flush, that often get's overlooked.
Merry Christmas
Mike

if your carb is working proper, and your mag is set right, i would never be afraid of the rope start. we have a few of them and once you get the mag sorted out, they will usually start on the first pull.

the electric start masks a pony that isn't tuned properly.

JM, buy gas without ethanol in it. That solves a lot of issues. I changed my 7U over to electric pony start and couldn't be happier.